Essex County, New York — A popular hiking and backcountry ski trail in the Adirondacks has reopened thanks to a group of hardy individuals.
On Wednesday, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the Avalanche Pass Trail has reopened. The trail had been closed since last July, when a massive landslide left the area filled with battered trees, rocks, and mud.
Last spring, DEC traveled to the trail to prepare it for trail crews to fix. Over the past several months, the DEC, along with volunteers from the Student Conservation Association, Adirondack Mountain Club, and Adirondack 46ers, have worked to make it safe to hike again. These crews reportedly put in more than 700 hours to make it a functional hiking trail again.
“DEC Region 5 is proud of our staff, contractors, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly and strategically to allow us to reopen the trail earlier than anticipated. DEC staff are just as eager as the public is to get back out there to hike and ski. We are excited to announce the reopening, but there is still work to be done. Thanks in advance to the hikers for respecting the trail crews, volunteers, and equipment they may encounter during the fall season.”– Joe Zalewski, Region 5 Regional Director.
While the trail has reopened, work will continue on repairs. They’re expected to continue into 2027.
About Avalanche Pass Trail
With an elevation gain of 1,404 feet, Avalanche Pass Trail is defined by AllTrails as hard. The 11.3-mile round trip is beloved by backcountry skiers and hikers for its trip to Avalanche Lake, which is surrounded by massive rocks.
During the summer, there are boardwalks attached to the rock walls that hikers use to walk across the lake. During the winter, backcountry skiers and snowshoers go on the frozen lake if the ice is thick enough. It was already known for its quality backcountry lines, but the mudslides create a potential new one (if there’s enough snow).
Image/Video Credits: Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Adirondack Mountain Club
